Should I keep my rooster?

[wings]

I have an eight month old rooster named Blackie. He is super sweet and kind. Everyone in the family loves him. But I'm not sure if I should keep him.

This is why I want to keep him:
-he's sweet
-he's gentle
-he protects the hens (at least I think so. do all roosters do that?)
-he lets us pick him up all the time
-he adds to the spirit of the flock
-I've heard that it helps to add chicks with a rooster present

This is why I DON'T want to keep him:
-he will wake us up in the summer when we keep our windows open
-he is physically hard on the hens
-he takes up space
-he eats a lot of food

I know from an economical respect it's totally irrational to keep him. But from a hobby aspect, we should totally keep him. So what do you guys think?

(link to pictures of him: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1611135#p1611135)

Thanks!

 

[patyrdz]

I say keep him because there is nothing better than hearing a rooster crow in the morning!! I used to have a really hard time with rooster crowing (city girl)but now I can't imagine not having one around!!

 

[tim_TX]

The sound of the roosters in the morning is just one of many reasons that I have chickens. It just wouldn't be the same without them. When I was young and would stay overnight with my grandparents, the train would wake me up .... but quickly you get used to it and sleep right on through it.

 

[partimer]

Ah! c'mon; where can you find another friend like that?? Sweet, protective daily alarm for a wakeup call. All very find attributes. Man, best keep him, saved by my prayers. and smile

 

[eggchel]

You can always wait and see how much the crowing bothers you in the summer. Meanwhile, enjoy him!

 

[chickenannie]

What is your ratio of hens to rooster? If you have less than 10 hens to 1 rooster, he can physically damage them very badly and in that case I would get rid of him. Here's a pic of what can happen (click on thread below, then click on the link in the first post). This guys other hens DIED from rooster abuse because he had too many roosters penned up with too few hens. That is the most serious concern I have with your list of pros and cons.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=144975

 

[speckledhen]

I have two roosters with almost 40 hens and some of the favorite hens still need aprons/saddles. That's really a good solution to the problem if he is wearing out the hens.

I also have a huge Blue Orpington rooster in with only 4 hens. None of them have any feather damage from overmating. Some roosters are just more laid back than others.

 

[wings]

Does anyone know if it is good to have a rooster when you are adding new hens?

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:Makes no difference. Whatever the composition of a flock is, all the chickens have to renegotiate their place in the pecking order when new hens are added. A rooster does not change that from happening.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I have over 20 roos on the place. I only have about 6 big boys though. The rest are tiny bantams, one silkie (i do not like this one, but the wife insists), a few medium sized ones (they are gorgeous) and finally a red jungle fowl that stays in the horse barn with his hens and they are producing eggs and babies which i am ecstatic about.

Roos make the chicken world go round, enjoy him for what he is.